103 | LOCKOUT

After six hours, we get word that Blue’s people have touched down in Dallas, but things go radio-silent after that. Blue tells me that the better part of the state is witch-controlled, so communication in and out of the state isn’t always easy, especially for supernaturals. He says this is normal. An hour or two of nothing, then contact once they’re on their way back. We just have to be patient.

By hour four, we’re both climbing the walls.

I start looking into flights to Dallas myself, studying the prices and mentally re-arranging expenses to pay for the trip when Blue’s phone rings. I look up from the screen and study my mate as he stops pacing the length of our room and answers the phone.

“***Hayden***,” Blue growls in the Alpha-boom of a voice that makes me wince. He pauses to allow the other person, Hayden, to answer before his Alpha can chew him out. Blue’s face pales and he stares at the door to the room with wide, silvery eyes. “Are you sure?” Blue mutters, voice gentling and face stiffening into a mask. “Alright. You get back here as soon as you can.” He ends the call and closes his eyes, the inky mess of his hair quivering as he shakes.

“What?” I ask him softly, keeping my voice soft and lulling to try to soothe him from whatever he’s just heard.

“They couldn’t get close to Mari’s. There are wards all over the state, keeping everything but humans from coming and going.” Blue finally breathes out and looks to me. “It’s a witch-lockdown.” He explains, leaning back against the nearest wall. “The power in half the state is out, and there are rolling blackouts that are keeping planes grounded for the time being. Hayden and Marin are trying to figure out a way back by bus.” Blue sighs again and runs a hand over his face. “Hayden is Wolven and Marin is human, but since Hayden is pretty much confined to the airport, Marin didn’t want to chance a run-in with another supernatural without back-up. They heard some disturbing rumors at the airport from some of the supernatural passengers trying to leave the state. Things seem tense, and since the Magicians are on lock-down, no one has any solid answers.”

“I can ask Shola-” I start slowly, thinking that maybe a Hunter could make a good spy right about now, but Blue shakes his head at me.

“It’s too dangerous to send a Hunter into a witch’s territory without backup. Especially if a whole Clan’s been affected by the backlash.” Blue explains, tense once again. “As much as I want answers and to check on Mari, we can’t risk our people. We’re just going to have to trust that she’ll call us as soon as the wards are lifted.”

“I don’t want to play the waiting game-” I growl at my mate, feeling my emotions start to bubble under my calm surface.

“We don’t have a choice right now, Red.” Blue snaps back before his voice softens. “If there were any other option, I’d take it. But Clan wards are strong. If they want to stay isolated from the rest of the state, they will.” He tells me and crosses over to sit on the bed beside me. “They’ll probably go back down after a week. It may have been the backlash that triggered them - to keep the other witches in the state safe.” He shakes his head. “We just don’t know. And I don’t have any human Pack members beside Marin who’re willing to risk the trip.”

I close my eyes, breathing deeply to settle the emotions roiling in me. After having hours to process the impact that the magical backlash might have had on the entire country, I’m a little surprised Nikki hasn’t shown up. You’d think this could have been an Event. Something we should have been bracing for or that the Ancient could have warned us about. But then again, if she didn’t mention it, maybe that’s a good thing?

Maybe it’s just a minor bump in the road or something that was always meant to happen? An issue from our point of view, but a minor blemish in the overall picture. Just another day in the life of the universe. A typical Saturday. I fucking hope so.

“Fine.” I huff after a few more moments, letting myself breathe deep and accept the current reality. “I’m sure you’re right.” I add, seeing how tense my mate still is. His mental block is gone and I feel his own attempts at remaining calm despite the situation. I mentally filter through the various magical items I’ve used or seen around Kiwina and feel a frown twist my lips. The necklace Mari made for me disintegrated from the backlash, but what about - “The wards-”

“Intact and powered up.” Blue reassures me, wrinkling his nose. “Yuri and Cole checked on them and came back smelling like sage and Magic. The wards seem to have absorbed a big part of the backlash and may never run out of juice.” His mirthful smirk wanes as his mind flits through the statement and jumps to the status of the three witches in his Pack.

I know we’re thinking the same thing. *If those three had been outside the wards, would they have died from the impact of the backlash? Did the wards do more than keep the soulless out? If so, then what about the problems in Texas? Were the wards triggered before or after the backlash hit? If they absorbed the power like our wards did, will it take longer for them to fade? And how long will it take for Mom to run out of her medicine?*

With that new and terrifying realization, panic really sets in. I hadn’t ever considered that my mom’s current potion-regimen that’s extending her life and keeping her comfortable while the cancer in her body threatens her life may run out. And only Mari has the skill to concoct the stuff. My gut twists and I feel the metaphorical walls starting to close in as my heart begins to react to the fear building in me. Mom may not have much time - depending on how much potion she has.

“Maybe you *should* call Shola…” Blue echoes my earlier thoughts, a grimace forming on his lips.

“She’s got connections all along the Mississippi.” I nod, pulling my phone back up to my face and dialing the number of the Hunter. “I’m sure they’ll help if she asks them.” I also mentally add that I will have to owe the Hunter after this…

“We both will.” Blue adds to my thoughts, reaching over to take my hand in his and give it a light squeeze. I nod and feel my body relax a little, then stiffen as the other end of the line picks up.

“Shola, it’s Scarlett,” I start before the Hunter can say ‘hello’. I’m afraid I’ll loose my nerve if I wait too long to speak. “I have a favor to ask,” An hour and a ‘huge-ass-favor’ later and the Hunter agrees to travel to Texas to find out what’s become of our witch friend. By the time I end the phone call, Blue’s gotten some news from Doc Blythe about the witches.

Two have gone into a coma and one’s dead.